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Kyle Whittingham said Andrew Sprague's absence against UTEP arose within the previous 24 hours after he had taken practice reps through the week; he declined to explain the cause. Michigan moved Evan Link to left tackle and Blake Frazier to the right side. Whittingham praised that configuration despite virtually no practice together, without giving Sprague a firm return date.

Zeke Berry was a game-time decision with a nagging issue during the week. Whittingham said Michigan chose to rest him rather than risk a setback and gave Shamari Earls the work. The coach expected and hoped Berry could return the following week, but did not provide a diagnosis or an unconditional availability confirmation.

Whittingham explicitly kept Jordan Marshall at RB1 and Savion Hiter at RB2 after UTEP, praising both backs' power and ability to improve with carries. Marshall exited with a nagging issue carried over from the previous game, and the coach hoped he would be ready next week. The hypothetical discussion of Hiter eventually taking 20 carries was not a new workload commitment.

Michigan made a deliberate game-plan effort to get Andrew Marsh more touches against UTEP after underusing him in the first two games. Whittingham described Andrew and JJ as 1 and 1A in the receiver group and praised Marsh's 100-plus-yard game. That is a stated targeting adjustment, not evidence of a newly demoted receiver.

Whittingham praised Bryce Underwood's 19-of-25 passing against UTEP, his progressions, timely release and avoiding interceptions, alongside improved OL work. He separately called Michigan's six fumbles through three games in 2026 a major concern. The clean passing assessment does not mean the team avoided all turnovers.